Declining enrollments. Changing demographics. Tightening budgets. An “evolving student marketplace.” All of these elements led Jay O. Rothman, president of the University of Wisconsin system, to announce in October that the system was closing one two-year campus and ending in-person instruction at two others. 

Today, the troubles happening in Wisconsin are setting off alarm bells about what may be to come for schools nationwide. 

Dual-enrollment courses can be very costly for colleges to offer, according to a new Ohio state auditor’s report. The survey found that half of colleges lose money when accounting for all costs of their programs for high school students.

The report comes at a time when high school students are increasingly enrolling in community college courses. That trend has been a relief for institutions after staggering pandemic enrollment declines and an anticipated impending drop in the number of traditional-age students.

Colleges haven’t had it easy lately.  The year kicked off with the messy rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. The FAFSA came about three months later than usual, meaning institutions will be making financial aid offers on a truncated timeline. 

Looking ahead, experts envision seven storylines that will likely shape higher education in 2024. Among their predictions: continued consolidation, the rise of artificial intelligence, and more political attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.